Portable article of manufacture



Jan. 23, 1968 F. WILDGEN PORTABLE ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE Original FiledMarch 15, 1965 United States Patent 3,365,227 PORTABLE ARTICLE OFMANUFACTURE Leo F. Wiidgen, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor, by mesneassignments, to Salm-Harley Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation ofIllinois Continuation of application Ser. No. 439,730, Mar. 15, 1965.This application Jan. 3, 1967, Ser. No. 607,074 10 Claims. (Cl. 294-27)This is a continuation of Ser. No. 439,730, filed Mar. 15, 1965 and nowabandoned.

This invention relates to improvements in a portable article ofmanufacture and, more particularly, to an improved removable handle forsuch portable articles.

It is desirable in many instances to provide handles for flatware andthe like wherein the handles are positively secured to the articleduring use but removable for cleaning or when the utensil is placed inan oven, or under other adverse ambient conditions.

Various removable handles for culinary articles, serving trays, plattersand the like, have heretofore been proposed. However, each prior devicehas limitations and disadvantages which have prevented widespreadadoption. In many of the prior systems a mechanical latch or lock isemployed to grip the handle to the article. The mechanism generally mustbe actuated to selectively engage the article and the actuatingmechanism is subject to malfunction. Moreover, such mechanisms aregenerally cumbersome and unattractive and are also subject tocontamination in use. Still other prior devices comprise an integrallymolded plastic article in which an effort is made to obtain resiliencein certain areas with rigidity in others. However, such devicesgenerally fail to grip the articles tenacionsly, suffer fatigue anddistortion in use, and generally lack the desired esthetic qualities.

It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide animproved removable handle for portable articles. 7

It is another object of this invention to provide a portable articlewhich includes one or more removable handles for increased versatility.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a simple unitaryremovable handle for culinary articles or the like in which the handletenaciously engages the article when properly positioned without the useof auxiliary mechanical clamps or other mechanisms requiring actuation.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improvedremovable handle which is inexpensive and easy to manufacture, which canbe cleaned and repaired, and which is of simple design and estheticquality.

Further and additional objects of this invention will become manifestfrom .a consideration of this description, the accompanying drawing, andthe appended claims.

In one form of this invention a platter is provided which is formed ofstainless steel and adapted for use in an oven or broiler in the actualpreparation of food. Associated removable esthetic handles, preferablymade of walnut, teakwood, or a similar decorative material, includeunique resilient internal clamps by which they are retained on the edgesof the platter for use in serving. The unique clamping mechanism in thepreferred embodiment includes a channel-like rubber member disposedwithin an elongate cavity in the relatively rigid handle with the bightportion secured to the inner walls of the handle.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of this inventionshowing a fragmentary portion of a portable article;

3,365,227 Patented Jan. 23, 1968 FIG. 2 is an enlarged end view of theremovable handle forming a part of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with theportable article removed therefrom and the resilient member in relaxedposition;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the removable handle corresponding to FIG. 2illustrating the insertion of the portable article therein;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the removable handle of FIG. 2 illustrating themanner in Which a portable article is removed therefrom; and

FIG. 5 is an end view of the resilient member of FIG. 2 as it appearsprior to insertion within the removable handle.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to FIG. 1, a steakplatter 10 is illustrated having a peripheral flange 12. It will beobvious that any utensil or article which can advantageously employremovable handles and has an appropriate free edge may be adapted foruse in this invention. In the described embodiment the flange 12 hascurved side edges and a substantially straight end edge 14 which isreceived within the handle 16. The handle may be adapted to accommodateother than straight edges, if desired. I

The handle 16 has a central elongate cavity 18 formed therein into whichis inserted a resilient gripping mem ber 20. A slot 22 is formed in thehandle 16 and communicates between the outer ornamental surface of thehandle and the forward wall 24 of the cavity 18. By the proper selectionof the various materials employed in practicing the invention it ispossible to provide removable handles which may be placed on the endflanges of the article 10 with minimum force. However, due to theresilient action of the various components removal of the handlerequires substantially greater force and it is retained on the flangewith substantial tenacity.

The actual construction of the removable handle is more apparent fromthe end view of FIG. 2. The handle 16 is preferably formed of anornamental wood such as walnut or teakwood. However, the handle can beformed of any desirable relatively rigid material including metals suchas aluminum, magnesium or zinc, or moldable plastic materials ofsubstantial rigidity. While the outer ornamental surface is shown as anellipse it will be apparent that it may be round, rectilinear, orcompletely irregular or sculptured.

The central cavity 18 is formed throughout the length of the handle 16,and in the described embodiment the cavity is substantially rectangularwith a rearward wall 26, a pair of generally parallel sidewalls 28 whichdiverge outwardly somewhat at a front wall 24. An elongate slot 22 isformed between the forward wall 24 and the ornamental surface of thehandle. The resilient member 20 has a bight portion 30 disposed againstthe rearward wall 26 and a pair of spaced legs 32. The manner in whichthe resilient member 20 is secured Within the handle will depend in partupon the relative dimensions of the various members. In one constructionthe resilience of the material from which the insert 20 is made wasfound sufficient to hold the insert within the handle. In anotherinstance it was found desirable to cement the bight portion 30 to therearward wall 26 of the cavity 18.

In one embodiment which has worked satisfactorily the resilient member20 is a rubber extrusion which has the property of feeling slightlytacky to the touch and has a durometer hardness of approximately 40 to45. By appropriate selection of dimensions, harder or softer rubber canbe employed.

In one particular construction the portable article was a stainlesssteel platter having a thickness of .030 inch and the slot 22 in thehandle has a width only slightly greater than the flange thickness. Thedimensions should be selected so that the portable article will slidefreely in the wood slot but will be gripped by the resilient insert. Theprecise dimension of the slot is not critical. The length and thicknessof the slot should be coordinated, however, to prevent noticeablerocking of the handle on the flange. The resilient member 20 is soshaped and stressed that the two legs 32 have limited contact with thesidewalls 28 preferably near the forward wall 24. The legs are alsoshaped as shown in FIG. 2 to engage the portable article when it isinserted in such a manner that the resilient legs are urged outwardlyagainst the sidewalls 28 to close the gap therebetween. The forward endsof legs 32 are rounded to facilitate the action which may becharacterized as a rolling action of the rubber insert outward againstsidewalls 23. This action is best illustrated in FIG. 3 where theforward edge 14 of the flange 12 has been inserted between the legs 32and is moving inwardly. The surfaces of legs 32 engage the flange 12 andproduce the rolling action urging the legs 32 outwardly against thesidewalls 23 and facilitating insertion of the flange 12 to the pointwhere the forward edge 14 abuts the bight portion 30.

The phenomenon which appears to occur when the article 12 is removedfrom its position within the handle 16 is illustrated in FIG. 4. Thereinit can be seen that as the flange 12 is withdrawn the shaped legs 32 aredrawn, or rolled, outwardly against the surfaces of flange 12 and thustend to lock against the flange and prevent removal. This phenomenonproduces selective resistance to relative motion between the handle andthe portable article which is especially desirable in the finishedproduct.

FIG. illustrates the resilient member 20 prior to insertion into thecavity 18. The legs 32 diverge somewhat from the bight 30 so that theyare resiliently retained in the cavity 18. Thus cementing or other meansof securement is augmented or may be avoided.

Variations of the basic configurations will immediately appear to oneskilled in the art. The external configuration or ornamentation of thehandle 16 may be selected for coordination with the portable articleswith which the handle is employed. It is advantageous in manufacture,maintenance and repair that the cavity 13 extend throughout the handle.However, it will be manifest that this is not essential and the ends ofthe handle may be appropriately plugged, if desired. Also, the degree oftenacity with which the handle grips the article will depend in partupon the uses to which the article is put. The hardness of the rubber orother resilient material in member 20 as well as the shape andproportions of the parts determines this characteristic. The resilientmaterial may be rubber, synthetic rubber, neoprene, various flexiblesynthetic plastic materials or other masses having the desiredcharacteristics of resilience and strength. The resilient materialshould not deteriorate in the presence of finishing materials used onthe wood handle member and should withstand conditions of itsenvironment including possible contact with detergents and moderateheat.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain thecharacter of the invention that others may, by applying currentknowledge, readily adapt the same for use under varying conditions ofservice, while retaining certain features which may properly be said toconstitute the essential items of novelty involved, which items areintended to be defined and secured by the following cl ims:

What is claimed is:

1. A removable handle for a portable article body having a generallyflat edge portion comprising a rigid handle member having an outersurface and an elongate cavity formed therein, an elongate slot beingformed in a forward portion of said handle member and connecting saidouter surface and said cavity, and an elongate rnass having itsoperative portions entirely within said handle member, retained thereinby said forward wall, substantially filling said cavity, and defining arestricted slot cooperating with said elongate slot to receive andresiliently retain said generally flat edge portion of said portablearticle body within said elongate slot and said restricted slot.

2. A portable article comprising a portable article body having agenerally flat edge portion and the removable handle of claim 1 whereinthe width of said elongate slot corresponds to the thickness of saidflat edge portion to restrain said flat edge portion against movementtransverse to the plane of said elongate slot.

3. The removable handle of claim 1 wherein said resilient mass comprisesa bight portion and two leg portions, said leg portions being disposedon opposite sides of said elongate cavity and being restrained Withinsaid elongate cavity by said forward portion, said leg portions definingthe restricted slot cooperating with said elongate slot to receive andresiliently retain said generally flat edge portion.

4. The removable handle of claim 3 wherein said handle member is made ofornamental wood, and said resilient mass is made of rubber.

5. The removable handle of claim 3 wherein said bight portion isattached to said handle member within said cavity along a surfaceopposite said slot.

6. The removable handle of claim 1 wherein said cavity and said elongateslot extend throughout said handle member, said resilient mass extendingsubstantially throughout said cavity.

7. The removable handle of claim 3 wherein said leg portions are ofreduced cross section adjacent said bight portion.

8. The removable handle of claim 4 wherein said leg portions are ofreduced cross section adjacent said bight portion.

9. The removable handle of claim 8 wherein said resilient membercomprises a rubber extrusion having dimensions such that said legs areurged together by the retaining forces within said cavity.

10. The removable handle of claim 7 wherein said legs are spaced fromthe walls of said cavity between said bight portion and the free ends ofsaid legs.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l,7l9,461 7/1929 Bolton 16-l 142,425,245 8/ 1947 Johnson 74--551.9 2,487,559 11/1949 Kraemer 16l 14FOREIGN PATENTS 312,169 l0/l933 Italy.

EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner.

H. C. HORNSBY, Assistant Examiner.

1. A REMOVABLE HANDLE FOR A PORTABLE ARTICLE BODY HAVING A GENERALLYFLAT EDGE PORTION COMPRISING A RIGID HANDLE MEMBER HAVING AN OUTERSURFACE AND AN ELONGATE CAVITY FORMED THEREIN, AN ELONGATE SLOT BEINGFORMED IN A FORWARD PORTION OF SAID HANDLE MEMBER AND CONNECTING SAIDOUTER SURFACE AND SAID CAVITY, AND AN ELONGATE MASS HAVING ITS OPERATIVEPORTIONS ENTIRELY WITHIN SAID HANDLE MEMBER, RETAINED THEREIN BY SAIDFORWARD WALL, SUBSTANTIALLY FILLING SAID CAVITY, AND DEFINING ARESTRICTED SLOT COOPERATING WITH SAID ELONGATED SLOT TO RECEIVE ANDRESILIENTLY RETAIN SAID GENERALLY FLAT EDGE PORTION OF SAID PORTABLEARTICLE BODY WITHIN SAID ELONGATED SLOT AND SAID RESTRICTED SLOT.